Faith as a Highlight Reel: When the “Jesus Glow” Becomes a Burden

Somewhere between the hashtags and highlight reels, we forget the one thing that really makes us radiant — being in the presence of Jesus.

The Scroll and the Subtle Pressure

We’ve all seen it — the “Jesus Glow” trend lighting up our feeds. Perfect morning devotion setups. Latte art beside an open Bible. Captions that say “God is so good” under flawless lighting.

But here’s the question: are we glowing for Jesus or performing spirituality about Him?

For many Christian women, the pressure to appear “put together” has quietly crept into our walk with God. Faith can start to feel like another thing we have to curate — one more thing to get right, to photograph, to share.

We post our victories but hide our valleys. We highlight transformation but crop out the tears that got us there.

And somewhere between the hashtags and highlight reels, we forget the one thing that really makes us radiant — being in the presence of Jesus.

When Faith Starts to Feel Like a Filter

Let’s be honest. We’re not immune to comparison just because we love Jesus. Scrolling through Christian spaces online can sometimes feel less like worship and more like a measuring stick.

We see someone’s picture-perfect quiet time and wonder why ours feels distracted. We see testimonies of breakthrough and wonder if God’s still writing ours.

But here’s the truth:

God never asked us to be filtered — He called us to be faithful.

The “glow” that comes from proximity to Jesus isn’t about lighting, routine, or productivity. It’s about transformation — the kind that happens when no one is watching.

The Hidden Work Still Counts

There’s a verse in Matthew 6:6 that flips this entire trend upside down:

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

The unseen moments — the whispered prayers in carpool lines, the tears during worship when you can’t find words — that’s where the real glow begins.

The “Jesus Glow” isn’t for your followers; it’s for your Father. It’s not about showing how spiritual you are; it’s about knowing how loved you are.

So What Do We Do With This?

If you’ve felt the pressure to perform your faith, here are three gentle reminders:

1. Glow from the Inside Out. Your spiritual life doesn’t have to be aesthetic to be authentic. God delights in your heart — not your hashtags.

2. Unplug to Reconnect. Take a break from the scroll and let your soul breathe. Let stillness remind you that you’re already seen, already chosen.

3. Reclaim the Secret Place. Go back to prayer that’s unposted, worship that’s unshared, faith that’s unseen. That’s where the real radiance happens.

Final Sip: Real Glow Comes from Real Proximity

The world tells us to shine for attention. Jesus tells us to abide in transformation.

Your light doesn’t need validation — it needs connection. So, sit in proximity to the Source of light. Let Him illuminate your heart before you try to illuminate your feed.

Because when you’ve been with Jesus, you don’t have to force the glow —you already carry it.